North-East transfer gossip: Monday, June 30

ANOTHER weekend, another round of discussions over a striker wanted by Newcastle United and it would seem Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette has been the subject of a £10m offer from St James’ Park.

Such is the determination of Newcastle’s transfer policy not to pay over the odds, there should be no reason to believe that things will be straight-forward.

Lyon are believed to be happy to cash in at the right price, but the Magpies have shown in pursuits for the likes of Papiss Cisse, Bafetimbi Gomis and, even further back, Mevlut Erdinc that they will not be persuaded in to exceeding their own valuations for the sake of it.

Lacazette and Pierre-Michel Lasogga are the two main attacking targets the Magpies have in mind and both are valued in similar financial brackets on Tyneside. Who will Alan Pardew end up with? Time will tell, but the move for Lacazette has started.

Transfer likelihood rating: 6/10

MEHDI ABEID might not have been given much of a chance at Newcastle since his arrival from Lens, but the young Frenchman has certainly made waves over in Greece.

Abeid impressed during his time with Panathinaikos and discussions are underway aimed at a permanent transfer. The problem is that Panathinaikos don’t have any money, so they are hoping to get him for nothing.

Sources in Greece suggest they are even prepared to offer Newcastle a 50 per cent sell on clause just to do the deal, while at the most they could be willing to pay a fee of around £300,000. Newcastle would prefer more.

Transfer likelihood rating: 7/10

MARCOS Alonso, Fabio Borini and Ashley Williams; the usual suspects are at the forefront of Sunderland’s thinking still.

Left-back Alonso is the man Gustavo Poyet wants at Sunderland down that flank next season and he had heard West Ham had emerged as genuine rivals for his signature.

However, the Hammers are also keen on Boca Juniors’ former Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua, so Sunderland could yet have it easier than they were expecting. A fee of around £2m is being talked about by Fiorentina, which would seem something of a snip if Poyet can get it done.

Transfer likelihood rating: 7/10

That takes us back on to Mr Borini. Despite his preference to stay at Anfield next season, it is difficult to see how he can still be there with Adam Lallana’s imminent arrival likely to be joined by further attacking additions at Liverpool.

Southampton remain an interesting alternative for Borini, even though a straight £25m deal was preferred for Lallana rather than a part-exchange deal. There are others keen on Borini, but if Sunderland can match the £10m-plus valuation first then they could land their man.

Transfer likelihood rating: 6/10

IT’S back to work day for Middlesbrough’s players today, but there has not been any indication that Spanish right-back Juanfran has decided to move to the Riverside Stadium this week.

Boro hope to learn one way or another at some stage today if the Real Betis full-back is ready to leave Spain to join compatriot Aitor Karanka in the North-East.

The chances are that he will still end up on Teesside, but he is keeping his options well and truly open after news that Italian clubs are also circling around a player costing around £2m.